Grassroots to pick AL’s MP aspirants

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In line with the recently revised electoral laws, Awami League (AL) yesterday decided to pick its parliamentary candidates from panels the grassroots will elect by secret ballots.

The party will soon include in its constitution a provision to that effect.

The decision came at a meeting of the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC), highest decision-making body of the organisation.

The new provision would require the AL parliamentary board to choose a candidate from a panel of five to be sent by the grassroots. This way it would clip the board’s absolute authority to nominate polls candidates.

It is also expected to check business over nominations.

According to the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO), the parties seeking registration with the Election Commission (EC) must empower their rank and file to have say in settling on candidates in general election.

The working committee yesterday resolved not to participate in any election without Sheikh Hasina.

It also decided to continue with associated organisations and chapters abroad. However, there will be some changes in wordings in this regard in the AL constitution.

Besides, the party will work to have 33 percent positions reserved for women in committees at all levels.

The four-hour meeting chaired by presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury called for the EC to cancel re-demarcation of the constituencies and hold the upcoming polls as per the previous boundaries.

Held at the AL president’s political office in Dhanmondi, it has been adjourned till 11:00am tomorrow.

Before the next sitting, a committee will finalise draft proposals regarding amendments to the party constitution to get registered with the EC.

AL demanded cancellation of the provisions that empower the EC to cancel candidatures for violation of electoral laws and debar utility bill defaulters from parliamentary polls.

It reiterated calls for unconditional release of its chief and withdrawal of all charges against her, lifting of the state of emergency, steps to contain price hike of essentials, and a reasonable gap between upazila and national polls.

DRAFT COMMITTEE FORMED
At yesterday’s meeting, AL formed a committee headed by presidium member Tofail Ahmed to prepare by today draft proposals for changes in its constitution.

The other members are all available members of the presidium, advisory council members HT Imam and AMA Muhith, organising secretaries Abdul Mannan and Mahmudur Rahman Manna and central leaders Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin, Latif Siddiqui, Prof Abu Sayeed and AKM Jahangir Hossain.

Earlier, the meeting rejected the suggestion by the committee of HT Imam, AMA Muhith and Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin for dispensing with the overseas chapters. It also did not accept their recommendation for dropping the names of associates from the party constitution.

As Latif Siddiqui questioned the legality of the three-member committee recommending constitutional changes, the ALCWC decided to form the high-powered committee with Tofail at its helm.

Sources said AL took the latest stance on its associated organisations and overseas chapters following instructions from Hasina, who is now in London.

Talking to The Daily Star, a working committee member said the AL president has directed them to keep the provisions as they are in terms of effects, and change only the wordings.

The sources added that the new committee might suggest changing the phrasing of clause 25 (1) that says AL Executive Committee shall supervise the associated organisations and determine their policies.

The party might also delete a line of the clause 63 (a) that deals with chapters abroad. That line says the Central Executive Council shall approve all “Immigrant Branches”.

BRIEFING
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said their party will continue to have associated bodies.

Denying media reports that the party has almost finalised its nominations, he said, “The parliamentary board headed by Sheikh Hasina will pick a candidate from the five to be chosen by the grassroots.”

The AL spokesman said as legal complexities surrounding the constituency re-demarcation will not go away anytime soon, the EC should cancel it.

It is not rational to hold the local polls immediately after the national election, Ashraf continued. “We want the government and the Election Commission to hold the elections allowing a logical interval.”

He said they will hold talks on the matters with components of the 14-party combine.

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